Vision of Service Award

Nominations for Staff Service Excellence Awards
* President's Award for Outstanding Service (for an individual staff member)
* Vision of Service Award (for a staff department or team)
* Gladys Kelley Memorial Award for Professional Development (for staff professional development funds)

Just a reminder that it is time to submit nominations to recognize the excellent service of staff members and staff departments or teams, including an award that will provide a staff member with access to $500 to use for professional development (e.g. to attend conferences or workshops or to purchase self-study materials).

President's Award for Outstanding Service

Each year up to four staff members may be selected to receive the President's Award for Outstanding Service. This award includes a choice of one week's pay or an extra week of vacation, a reserved parking space, name placed on a plaque in Balfour Hood, and a special celebratory luncheon with the President.

One staff department, committee or work team may be selected to receive the Vision of Service Award. This award includes a day off with pay for each team member, recognition on a plaque, and a special celebratory luncheon with the President.

You can nominate a staff member by going to the Human Resources website. If you do not have access to a computer, nomination forms for all awards are available from Human Resources. Forms may also be downloaded by clicking on the Staff Excellence Awards link.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is January 18, 2013. Award recipients will be announced at the March 24, 2013 Service Awards program. Please take this opportunity to show your appreciation for outstanding service by submitting nominations for these awards.

Voluntary Retirement Updates

The maximum employee contribution to retirement for 2013 will be increasing to $23,000. There is also a special “catch-up” allowance for individuals age 50 and above. These individuals may contribute an additional $5,500. If you are interested in learning more about this or wish to increase your voluntary contribution to retirement, please contact Human Resources at extension 8206 or email them.

Did You Know?

To comply with Federal regulations, effective January 1, 2012, Faculty and Staff who wish to enroll eligible dependents into health and dental plans are required to present evidence of their dependent’s eligibility, such as marriage certificates or birth certificates. This also applies to employees making changes during open enrollment.

Please Remember: If you need to be absent from work for more than ten consecutive working days for any reason other than scheduled vacation, you must contact the Human Resources department to initiate the leave of absence process. We will review the application process, the continuation of benefits and/or salary and provide any forms necessary to complete. In addition to explaining Wheaton’s leave of absence policy, we will explain the rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and any other applicable federal and state regulations.

Weather Emergencies:

Since Wheaton is primarily a residential college, our operations will normally continue unless weather conditions are so serious that a decision is made to close the college or delay opening. When the weather is bad, you can find out if the college is closing or delaying opening by calling the announcement line at 508-286-8285 or visiting the college’s home page. If there are no messages on the announcement line or home page, the college is open as usual.